The Royal Western India Turf Club has come in under increasing critical scrutiny in recent times. Several questionable rulings have only served to cause greater anguish. There is a fervent plea from all quarters for people with conviction to step in and stem the rot that has set in. Vivek Jain, a committe member of RWITC, has in his column in ``The Mid-Day'' echoed these sentiments.

Racing needs an image makeover

By: Vivek Jain 
April 17, 2004

Observers of horse racing have started commenting that the sport is in a state of steady decline and enthusiasm for the game is on the wane. Falling attendance and a flat ownership profile bear unfortunate testimony to this fact. Claims of race-fixing, scandals and poor supervision of the sport have all sullied the image of racing.

Interestingly, the editorial of a leading international racing magazine recently commented that the use of the word ‘Sport’ to describe what is a multimillion-dollar industry was both quaint and misleading. Images of jockeys fixing races, bookmakers in seedy rooms and charges of corruption have blurred the halo around this King of Sports.

Though most major sports have betting scandals attached to them and most recently in cricket, racing always leads the pack. It is here where the RWITC must step in to stem the rot to give racing an image makeover. 

Marketing the sport is not only about sponsorships. The primary focus today is in cleaning the image of the sport, giving it a new sheen and getting its credibility back on track. Several leading corporates today would have willingly backed the sport were it not for its sullied image. 

Recent efforts such as getting racing live on television and obtaining approvals to allow children (to make it a Sunday outing for the family) have fallen by the wayside. The telecast of live racing on Ten Sports is in oblivion and much more has to be done to promote a carnival atmosphere at least on Sundays. 

The Stewarding of the sport has come in for criticism and this is another area that needs serious attention. A great anecdote amplifies the problem Stewards face. 

An apprentice, called before the Stewards in the U.K. after a rather tender ride explained that he had been “asked to wait”. “And how long were you asked to wait”, enquired the Steward. “Until Doncaster, next Saturday, Sir” he replied nonchalantly!

(Vivek Jain is an RWITC Commmittee member)

COURTESY: THE MID-DAY